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Question 30 — Improving Performance (20 marks) (a) Explain how athletes can identify and avoid the risks of overtraining - HSC - SSCE Personal Development and Physical Education - Question 30 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 30
Question 30 — Improving Performance (20 marks) (a) Explain how athletes can identify and avoid the risks of overtraining. (b) Discuss the ethical issues associated... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Question 30 — Improving Performance (20 marks) (a) Explain how athletes can identify and avoid the risks of overtraining - HSC - SSCE Personal Development and Physical Education - Question 30 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain how athletes can identify and avoid the risks of overtraining.
Answer
Athletes can identify overtraining by monitoring their performance and physical symptoms. Signs of overtraining include:
- Fatigue and lethargy: A noticeable decline in performance can signal that an athlete is overtraining.
- Increased resting heart rate: This physiological marker can indicate insufficient recovery and heightened stress levels.
- Musculoskeletal injuries: Repeated injuries can occur due to improper training loads.
- Sleep issues: Difficulty in sleeping may be a sign of overtraining.
To avoid overtraining, athletes should:
- Monitor training intensity: Utilizing heart rate monitors helps track exertion during workouts.
- Schedule recovery periods: Adequate rest days and lighter training sessions will allow the body to recover.
- Engage in cross-training: This diversifies workouts, reducing the risk of specific strain or injury.
- Communicate with coaches: Regular feedback can help athletes understand their physical and mental limits.
Step 2
Discuss the ethical issues associated with the use of technology in sport.
Answer
The use of technology in sport raises several ethical concerns:
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Performance Enhancement: Many technologies that support performance enhancement can blur the lines between natural talent and artificial advantages. For example, advancements in equipment that enhance performance may lead to questions about fairness.
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Access to Technology: Unequal access to advanced technology can create disparities in competition. Athletes or teams that cannot afford such technology may lag behind their competitors.
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Health Risks: Some technologies can encourage athletes to push their limits, potentially leading to injuries or persistent health issues. The responsibility lies with both the athletes and the organizations overseeing their safety.
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Integrity of the Sport: The potential for misuse of technology, such as doping, undermines the integrity of competitive sports, raising questions about athletes' authenticity.
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Data Privacy: With data increasingly collected from athletes through wearables, ethical questions arise regarding who has access to this data and how it is used, particularly concerning personal health information.